Hindu temple planned for London Borough of Croydon

A Hindu temple and cultural center has been proposed for Croydon area of Greater London.

When ready, it plans to open daily from eight am to nine pm, conduct three main poojas every day and organize various festivals regularly; including Navarathiri, Kandha Shasti, Tamil New Year, Varalakshmi Viratham, Diwali, Kethara Gowri Viratha Pooja, etc.

According to proposals, it also plans to have Elders Centre, Youth Centre, classrooms, community gathering spaces, etc. Operations will be headed by an Executive Officer and it will employ eight priests/religious-workers and two musicians. It aims to promote truth, honesty, love and harmony. Liquor and non-vegetarian food is prohibited.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of temple leaders and area community towards realizing this Hindu temple and cultural complex.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple complex would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

A planning permission application has been filed by Sivayogam Trust of Tooting (a charity promoting Hinduism, founded in 1995, which has purchased the property) with Croydon Council and is awaiting decision to convert industrial warehouse Mulberry House (site area approximately 2884 square meters), previously occupied by a glazing company, into a Hindu temple. The application claims that “Hinduism is the second largest religion in the borough and there is an absence of Hindu place of worship in Croydon”. Core function of its cultural center is stated as: support and nurture the community through the provision of relief from poverty, hardship and distress across South London.

Toni Letts and Mike Selva are the Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of Croydon in south London, while Jo Negrini is the Chief Executive. Notable people associated with Croydon include singers Adele and Amy Winehouse; writers D. H. Lawrence, Arthur Conan Doyle and Raymond Chandler; actors Edward Woodward and Peggy Ashcroft; film director David Lean and model Kate Moss.